Anyone who has ever traveled I-75 north in Michigan has seen the sign at Exit 326 heralding the Giant Man Eating Clam attraction.

I suspect it is a favorite stop for the hundreds of Michigan legislators as they wend their way to Mackinac Island for the annual boondoggle known as the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Mackinac Policy Conference. Unfortunately, visits for the clam this year will be limited as many of the merrymakers will remain in Lansing.

Seems Republican Speaker Kevin Cotter has ordered a session for May 31 through June 3 to vote on legislation. This certainly puts a crimp in the plans of the revelers as it coincides with the conference. So instead of packing up the balloons, the party puffs, the togas and the cheese curls, some lawmakers will have to be content reviewing, as Cotter states, “bills we’ve got on the floor,” working on the next state budget and restructuring Detroit’s ailing school district. That sure sounds like their job, but, heck, what do I know?

As some of us might recall, one of the themes from last year’s conference was to “recalibrate how our government works.” Was it a success? Ask the residents of Flint how that recalibration affected them!

I suspect that some of legislators will ignore Cotter’s directive and sneak up to the island. Who can ignore the pungent aroma of the fudge, the pristine golf course, the midnight excursions to the Grand Hotel Cupola Bar and the stroll around the island on a rented bike. And if someone can actually attend a meeting, that would be a plus even though nothing of substance is ever discussed or decided on. So alert the giant clam. Visitors are on the way!